Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentPreventionDurationWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Duration
When to Seek Care
A rash between the breasts may show up for a number of reasons, such as skin irritation, infection, or an underlying condition. The skin between the breasts is particularly prone to inflammation if the skin of the breasts rub together.
Skinfolds, in which skin touches skin, such as between the breasts, are a prime environment for moisture, bacteria, and fungus to build up and cause irritation or infection.
Treatment and prevention of a rash between the breasts depends on the type of rash and what triggers it, which can vary from person to person.
This article talks about the causes of a rash between the breasts, how to treat it at home, and when it’s time to contact a healthcare provider.
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What Causes a Rash Between the Breasts
A rash between the breasts can show up for a variety of reasons. These include the skin becoming irritated or infected from friction or moisture buildup between the skin of the breasts or an underlying health condition.
Heat Rash
A heat rash occurs when your sweat glands become blocked from sweating a lot.Blocked sweat glands are more likely to occur in skinfolds, where sweat gets trapped.
When the sweat glands are blocked and sweat accumulates underneath the skin, the skin becomes inflamed and small bumps appear on the surface of the affected skin.These bumps are usually itchy and red on lighter skin tones or a darker shade than the surrounding skin on darker skin tones.
Intertrigo
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer that causes the breasts to look inflamed due to skin discoloration and swelling.
While inflammatory breast cancer symptoms do include rash-like symptoms like discoloration on more than one-third of the breast as well as itchiness, tenderness, and pain on a breast, characteristic symptoms ofbreast cancer rashhelp differentiate it from other types ofrash on the breast. This includes one breast looking larger than the other due to swelling in cancer.
Other Underlying Conditions
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin becomes inflamed after contact with an irritating substance. There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Some common skin irritants and allergens that might affect the skin between the breast area include certain shampoos, fabrics, or fragrances.
Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that develops in skinfolds, such as between the breasts. Friction between the skin, a skin injury, an infection, or stress can all trigger inverse psoriasis.
How to Treat a Rash Between the Breasts at Home
For underlying conditions like inverse psoriasis and eczema, you might need an ongoing treatment plan to keep your skin clear and manage flare-ups.
Can You Prevent a Rash Between Your Breasts?
Sometimes, sweat buildup is unavoidable, and the best thing to do is cool down and dry your skin as soon as possible.
If the skin on your chest becomes irritated after using certain products or wearing certain clothes, take note and try to avoid those materials as much as possible.
How Long Does a Rash Between the Breasts Last?
How long a rash lasts depends on the type of rash. A heat rash, for example, will usually disappear within one to two days, though more severe heat rashes can last over a week.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you have a rash between your breasts that gets worse or doesn’t go away with at-home treatments, it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider. A persistent rash may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires ongoing treatment.
It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about a rash that doesn’t go away so that they can determine the cause and provide a treatment or management plan, if necessary.
A Word From Verywell
—MARISA GARSHICK, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Intertrigo. November 30, 2022.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Heat rash: How to spot it and what to do. August 18, 2023.Breast Cancer Now.Intertrigo (rash under the breast). September 2022.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer. March 1, 2023.Breastcancer.org.Breast and nipple eczema: What causes it and how is it treated?April 9, 2024.Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis. July 1, 2023.National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis. February 8, 2024.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Intertrigo. November 30, 2022.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Heat rash: How to spot it and what to do. August 18, 2023.Breast Cancer Now.Intertrigo (rash under the breast). September 2022.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer. March 1, 2023.Breastcancer.org.Breast and nipple eczema: What causes it and how is it treated?April 9, 2024.Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis. July 1, 2023.National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis. February 8, 2024.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Intertrigo. November 30, 2022.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Heat rash: How to spot it and what to do. August 18, 2023.Breast Cancer Now.Intertrigo (rash under the breast). September 2022.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer. March 1, 2023.Breastcancer.org.Breast and nipple eczema: What causes it and how is it treated?April 9, 2024.Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis. July 1, 2023.National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis. February 8, 2024.
MedlinePlus.Intertrigo. November 30, 2022.
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Heat rash: How to spot it and what to do. August 18, 2023.
Breast Cancer Now.Intertrigo (rash under the breast). September 2022.
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer. March 1, 2023.
Breastcancer.org.Breast and nipple eczema: What causes it and how is it treated?April 9, 2024.
Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis. July 1, 2023.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis. February 8, 2024.
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